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Sharps Disposal

FL Dept of Health in Pinellas - Environmental Health

Sharps Disposal Program 

Red Disposal BinThe Sharps Disposal Program safely collects needles, syringes, and other potentially dangerous items and properly disposes of them to ensure the safety of Pinellas County residents and visitors.

What are Sharps?

Sharps are items having the potential to puncture or lacerate. These include syringes with attached needles and disposable lancets. They can cause injuries to waste collectors and potentially spread illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV.

How the Program Works 

Visit one of the participating disposal sites listed below. Ask for an approved sharps container and brief instructions on use. Take the container to your home and place it out of reach of children. As needed, perform your injection, and then dispose of the syringe completely intact into the container.

Once the container is filled, seal it properly and return it to one of the participating collection sites for proper disposal. Always hand the filled and properly sealed sharps container to authorized personnel. Never leave a sharps container unattended.

Disposal Sites 

  • Florida Hospital North Pinellas
    1395 S Pinellas Avenue
    Tarpon Springs
    (727) 942-5000 x2870
    Inquire at Emergency Room
    Hours: Sun-Sat 8-4:30
  • Morton Plant Mease HealthCare-Dunedin
    601 Main Street
    Dunedin
    (727) 734-6141
    Inquire at Emergency Room
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
  • Morton Plant Mease HealthCare-Countryside
    3231 McMullen Booth Road
    Safety Harbor
    (727) 725-6100
    Inquire at Emergency Room
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
  • Morton Plant Mease HealthCare-Clearwater
    300 Pinellas Street
    Clearwater
    (727) 461-8552
    Inquire at Emergency Room
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
  • HCA Florida Largo Hospital
    201 14th Street SW
    Largo
    (727) 588-5200
    Inquire at reception desk
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-2:30
  • Morton Plant Mease-Bardmoor
    (Emergency Room)
    8839 Bryan Dairy Road
    Largo
    (727) 395-2600
    Inquire at reception desk
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5
  • HCA Florida Northside Hospital
    6000 49th Street North
    St. Petersburg
    (727) 521-4411
    Inquire at information desk
    Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4
  • St. Petersburg Medical Center
    6500 38th Avenue North
    St. Petersburg
    (727) 384-1414
    Inquire at information desk
    Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
  • St. Anthony's Hospital
    1200 7th Avenue North
    St. Petersburg
    (727) 825-1272
    Inquire at Security Window in Main Lobby
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
  • Palms of Pasadena Hospital
    1501 Pasadena Avenue South
    St. Petersburg
    (727) 381-1000 x7657
    Inquire at information desk
    Hours: Mon-Fri 9-3
  • Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
    501 6th Avenue South
    St. Petersburg
    (727) 767-4720
    (727) 767-4250
    Inquire at Emergency Room
    Hours: Sun-Sat 8-5

For more information, contact the American Diabetic Association of Tampa Bay at 813-885-5007.

Sponsored By: 

Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County

Pinellas County Government

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Palms of Pasadena Hospital
Morton Plant Hospital
Mease Hospital
St. Petersburg General
Northside Hospital
Largo Medical Center
St. Anthony's Hospital
Florida Hospital North Pinellas

Please note: The Sharps Disposal Program is not the same as a needle exchange. In 2019, the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) became law. It allows sterile needle and syringe exchange programs for those who inject drugs with the goal of preventing disease and to provide drug cessation counseling. IDEA Exchange Pinellas is located at 1525 16th Street South in St. Petersburg. Business hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 727-954-3993, email info@ideapinellas.org or connect through https://www.facebook.com/IDEAExchangePinellas for more information.

Idea Exchange Pinellas PERC Logo